Surgical Society: Ophthalmology Chair

👁️✨ Seeing the Future, One Eye at a Time ✨👁️
Fellow future eyeball enthusiasts, cornea connoisseurs, and retinal rebels – the time has come to elect an Ophthalmology Chair who doesn’t just see the future but focuses on it (with 20/20 vision, of course).
Who am I?
Once upon a time, I was a lost medical student squinting my way through anatomy and PassMed. Since then, I’ve held multiple leadership roles, including:
• National Paediatrics Undergraduate Society (NUPS) Co-Chair
• Current Paediatrics Chair at UCL (hosted one of the biggest live national conferences with 300+ attendees!)
• Project Manager for UCL Hospital Fun Team
That is, until I set my sights on ophthalmology. Now, I’m an active member of the Royal Free AI and Robotics for Imaging Studies of the Eye (ARISE) lab and a proud advocate for all things eyeball-related.
If elected, I vow to implement:
👓 1. The "No Eye Left Behind" Policy
Pre-clinical students stuck decoding optic nerve diagrams? Clinical years wondering how to switch their stethoscope for an ophthalmoscope? I’ve got you.
I’ll work tirelessly to bring early exposure to ophthalmology through shadowing schemes and hands-on mentoring from seasoned eye enthusiasts, showing you the ins and out of the coveted eye specialty and teaching you the latest tips and tricks on how to build an awesome portflio. And of course, Duke Elder training sessions - if this is your first time hearing about it, you’re welcome!
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Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as both Vice Chair and Education Officer of the UCL Ophthalmology Subcommittee, gaining a deep understanding of what it takes to run the committee effectively.

As one of the founding members of BCOSS, I played a key role in establishing a national collaboration of student ophthalmology societies and in organising the first BCOSS Student Ophthalmology Conference,  the largest in-person student-led ophthalmology event in the UK.

My research background in ophthalmology, including my dissertation project at Moorfields Eye Hospital, has allowed me to build strong connections within the field - connections that I hope to leverage to bring more opportunities to UCL students.

Most importantly, I am just passionate about ophthalmology, dedicated to the subcommittee’s growth, and bring an energetic and collaborative approach to leadership. Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing the legacy of BCOSS initiatives, including a Duke Elder Teaching Series and another successful Microsurgical Workshop in collaboration with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, thus making the UCL Ophthalmology Subcommittee an engaging community, full of opportunities for all interested students.

I have always been driven towards a surgical career, and over the years this has grown into a passion for Ophthalmology. As part of the subcommittee, I have gained deeper insight into the specialty and would love to take my role further as Ophthalmology Chair for the next year.

As Education Lead, I have planned and hosted seminars given by Ophthalmologists, and had experience on committees organising and delivering National Conferences. As Ophthalmology Chair, I aim to deliver:

- A National Ophthalmology Conference: Host an inter-uni Conference to network with like-minded students and hear from leading experts in their fields.

- Practical Workshops: Hands-on workshops early in our medical careers are highly valuable, so I hope to continue on the success of the Microsurgery Workshop to provide insight into the clinical aspects of Ophthalmology.

- Community Outreach Events: Incorporate more community-centred activities to offer a different way of engaging with Ophthalmology. This will involve fundraisers with charities such as RNIB and Guide Dogs to raise awareness, and working with student-led organisations like Eyeducate to teach children the importance of good eye health to avoid preventable vision loss.

Ophthalmology is a vast specialty, and as Chair I strive to fulfil the role by utilising my past experiences and working closely with the committee to share our passion for the field and provide students with support and opportunities to pursue this career too.